Hiroshi Tanahashi, who recently wrestled for the last time in the United States, is set to have his final match in the United Kingdom. New Japan Pro Wrestling (NJPW) announced that Tanahashi will compete in London on August 24th, marking his final UK appearance at the 4th AEW x NJPW Forbidden Door event held at the O2 Arena.
Currently, no opponent has been announced for Tanahashi’s UK farewell match. He recently returned to AEW, where he, along with Ishii and Brody King, interrupted Don Callis from promoting post-match bouts involving Adam Cole, Roderick Strong, and Kyle O’Reilly. Tanahashi’s career spans 26 years, highlighted by multiple NJPW titles including the never-open-weight six-man tag team championship, IWGP US Heavyweight Championship, NJPW World Television Championship, IWGP Tag Team Championship, and eight-time IWGP Heavyweight Champion.
In late 2023, Tanahashi took on a leadership role as NJPW’s president and representative director, aiming to strengthen partnerships with AEW and Stardom and enhance the NJPW Championship’s prestige. While additional matches for AEW x NJPW Forbidden Door have not been confirmed, Tanahashi’s in-ring retirement is planned for Wrestle Kingdom 20 in January 2026.
Fan Take: This announcement is huge for AEW fans as it brings a legendary figure like Tanahashi to the Forbidden Door event, highlighting the deepening collaboration between AEW and NJPW. His final UK match not only honors his incredible career but also elevates the prestige of cross-promotional events, promising exciting storytelling and high-caliber wrestling for fans worldwide.
